Mount Pleasant Planning & Zoning Board Approves Land Subdivision, Waives Review Rights

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, March 5th, 2025 at 6:44 am CDT

At a recent Planning & Zoning meeting, the city planning board approved the subdivision of a parcel of land on West Clay, near the intersection of Clay Street. The primary agenda items included the approval of the minutes from the November 5, 2024, meeting and a discussion regarding the land subdivision request.

The board reviewed the potential impacts of the subdivision of property, ultimately determining that there were no significant concerns related to traffic or infrastructure. The parcel in question is intended for the construction of a single-family residence by a family member of the current landowner.

During the discussion, board members considered the city’s right to review subdivisions within two miles of the city limits under an agreement with the county. Given the nature of the request, the board voted to waive its review rights while stipulating that any future subdivision of the land would require formal city approval.

The board also noted that the property does not currently have access to city sewer or water services. The motion to approve the subdivision of property and waive the review rights passed without opposition.

Sports, March 5th

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, March 5th, 2025 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Girls’ Postseason Basketball

In Class 3A, #3 Williamsburg hung on to beat #6 Des Moines Christian 52-49. Carly Rich led the Raiders with 19 points. Williamsburg will compete against #2 Wahlert Catholic in the semifinals tomorrow, March 6th, at 3:15 pm. 

#1 Mt. Vernon will face off against #5 Estherville Lincoln Central tomorrow at 1:30 pm.

Class 4A started off with the biggest upset of the tournament with #8 Xavier knocking off the top-seed Bishop Heelan 71-57. Lilly Fandel reset the state tournament record books, ripping down 25 rebounds and scoring a Class 4A record 37 points. 

In the closest matchup of the day, #5 Central DeWitt was a rebound away from forcing overtime, but in Pearl Brown’s only points of the game she secured a victory for #4 Norwalk on buzzer beater putback to win 56-54. The Warriors will take on Xavier in the semifinals tomorrow at 5 pm. 

On the bottom half of the bracket, #2 North Polk defeated #7 Sioux Center 47-45 and they will run into #6 Dallas Center-Grimes for the third straight year as the Mustangs took down #3 Maquoketa 49-44. The semifinal matchup will take place tomorrow at 6:45 pm.

Over in Class 2A, #1 Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont was carried by Molly Shafer’s 22 points in a 52-45 victory over #8 Treynor yesterday. In the final matchup of the day, #5 Central Lyon crushed #4 North Mahaska 59-34 to advance to the semifinals where they will compete against the Rockets on Friday, March 7th, at 10 am.

#2 Regina Catholic will take on #7 Maquoketa Valley and #3 Hinton will face off against #6 Rock Valley today with game one at 10 am.

Class 1A will begin today with #1 Saint Albert leading the rush against #8 Dunkerton, followed by #4 Bishop Garrigan versus #5 Montezuma, #2 North Linn taking on #7 Gladbrook-Reinbeck, and #3 Newell-Fonda attempting to avoid the upset against #6 Springville.

For Class 5A, #4 Ankeny Centennial and #1 Johnston will collide in the semifinals tomorrow at 10 am. On the bottom half of the bracket, #2 Dowling Catholic and #3 Waukee Northwest will be pinned against one another tomorrow in the semifinals.

High School Boys’ Postseason Basketball

Joining North Linn in the Class 1A state tournament set to start on March 10th will be Boyden-Hull, St. Edmond, Marquette Catholic, Gladbrook-Reinbeck, Madrid, Woodbine, and Remsen St. Mary’s.

Also punching their ticket to the Class 2A state tournament with Grand View Christian were Unity Christian, West Lyon, Jesup, Grundy Center, Union Community, Treynor, and Western Christian.

Knoxville is making their first trip to the state tournament since 2000 and joining them will be MOC-Floyd Valley, Storm Lake, Clear Lake, Xavier, Central DeWitt, ADM, and Ballard.

Southeast Iowa Playbook

Tune in to KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, tonight at 6 pm for a new episode of the Southeast Iowa Playbook featuring the trio of state wrestlers from WACO in Ian Maize, Gage Samo, and Louden Huisnega as they discuss what led up to the tournament and the emotions that came with competing in Des Moines.

Southeastern Community College                                                     

The men’s basketball team will host Marshalltown Community College tonight at 7 pm.

College Basketball

The #10 Iowa State men’s team battled back to force overtime against #23 BYU, then the Cougars managed to tie the game again to send it to double overtime and held on to that momentum to beat the Cyclones 88-85. Joshua Jefferson collected 19 points in the loss. Iowa State will attempt to venture back into the win column on Saturday, March 8th, at 12:30 pm against Kansas State on the road. 

The Iowa men’s team looks to upset #8 Michigan State tomorrow, March 6th, at 7 pm at home for their senior night.

The Iowa women’s team will get a rematch with Wisconsin tonight at 7:30 pm for their opening matchup of the Big Ten tournament in Indianapolis.

The Iowa State women’s team will be gearing up for the Big 12 tournament as they received a bye into the second round, scheduled for tomorrow.  

This Day in Sports History

1955 – Second ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament: North Carolina State beats Duke, 87-77.

1973 – Yankees pitchers Mike Kekich and Fritz Peterson became the centerpiece of media attention after the two decided to swap wives. The bizarre trade took place in the summer of 1972 before it was made public ahead of the 1973 season.

1985 – NHL New York Islanders Mike Bossy is the first to score 50 goals in 8 straight seasons.

Henry County Supervisors Agenda March 6th 9a.m

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, March 4th, 2025 at 4:02 pm CDT

Henry County Supervisors

100 E Washington St Ste 202

Mt Pleasant IA  52641

Fax: 319-385-3601 

  Chad White, Vice-Chair               Marc Lindeen, Chairman               Steven Detrick, Member    

           319-385-0759                                 319-385-0760                                     319-385-0761________                       

 

AGENDA

Board of Supervisors Office

March 6, 2025

9:00 a.m.

  1. Approve Agenda
  1. Approve Minutes
  1. Department Head Meeting

4.Jake Hotchkiss Engineer Weekly Update

Approve Dust Control Companies

  1. Joe Buffington, Monthly Update.
  1. Renewal Certificate of Appointment of Deputy Sheriff
  1. Public Comments
  1. Closed Session, Paul Greufe, Employee Discussion. Code Section 21.5 (1)(i).

Seeking nominations for the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce 2025 Small Business of the Year

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, March 4th, 2025 at 4:01 pm CDT

The Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for the prestigious 2025 Small Business of the Year award. Each year, Chamber members have the opportunity to recognize an outstanding local business that has made a significant impact in the community.

To qualify for the Small Business of the Year award, nominees must be a current member of the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce, have a primary business location in Henry County, employ fewer than 50 individuals, and have been in operation for at least two years.

The award will be presented during the MPACC’s Small Business Breakfast on May 9th, 2025. This annual event celebrates the contributions of small businesses and highlights the achievements of entrepreneurs who help drive the local economy.

If you know a deserving business that meets the qualifications, we encourage you to submit a nomination. Nominations must be received by March 21, 2025. To submit a nomination or for more details, please contact the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance office.

MOUNT PLEASANT MUNICIPAL UTILITIES SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA MARCH 5TH

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, March 4th, 2025 at 3:49 pm CDT

Special Meeting:

Dan McCabe, Chairman                                                                                                   12:00 P.M. Wednesday

Harvey Ungerman                                                                                                              March 5, 2025

David George                                                                                                                      (MPMU Conference Room

Michelle Rosell                                                                                                                       located at 509 N Adams.)

Lori White

AGENDA 

  1. CALL TO ORDER.
  2. Roll call.
  3. Approval of Agenda.                            

 

  1. Transmission System Power Supply Project – Update.
  2. Review of MISO correspondence.
  • OTHER BUSINESS.
  1. Other Business, Unscheduled for Consideration by Board of Trustees.
    1. Closed Session will convene w/ guests.
      1. Pursuant to sections of Iowa Code 9 to discuss marketing and pricing strategies or proprietary information.
      2. Approve the filing of proceedings against RPGI for breach of contract and fiduciary duties.

 

                                                                                         Next Regular Board Meeting: 1:00 p.m. March 18th, 2025

Joanne B. Wilson

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, March 4th, 2025 at 11:21 am CDT

Joanne B. Wilson, 98, of Fairfield, Iowa, passed away on Monday, March 3 at Parkview Care Center in Fairfield. As were her wishes, cremation has taken place and a family service will be at a later date. Cards and condolences may be sent to the family at 1707-A Linden Drive, Fairfield, IA 52556. Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield is assisting the family.

Joanne was born March 28, 1926 in Evanston, Illinois to Edwin Burt (Ned) and Edith (Blaeser) Brown of Winnetka.

She spent her childhood along the north shore of Chicago living blocks away from Elder Lane Beach on Lake Michigan in a small house with her parents, two siblings and maternal grandparents. Her youth though during the Great Depression was idyllic—summers at the beach, learning gardening, sewing and how to make everything from scratch from her grandma. She always said if she was one thing, she was a Girl Scout. She kept her first Girl Scout guide until she was 97 when she passed it down to her great granddaughter.

Coming of age for Joanne during World War II meant not as many stories about the sacrifices made for the war, but the tales about boyfriends and dates. She kept a calendar with all those events. The calendar goes mysteriously blank after a date with war veteran and Marine Robert L. (Bob) Wilson in fall, 1945. They married in June, 1946. She had graduated from New Trier High School in 1943 and attended National College of Education in Evanston for three years before marrying Bob.

Joanne told her granddaughters that she was the luckiest because all she ever wanted to be was a wife and mother. And that is exactly what she did her whole life. She was the master of making cozy homes and good friends through nine moves including 13 years in Galena, Illinois and a final move to Fairfield in late 1996.

She was the kind of wife, mother, grandma that if you needed to be at work or just early morning volleyball practice, she would wake up with you and make a full breakfast before leaving.

She took her mothering job seriously and was told many times she didn’t have to be the “den mother of the world” by her husband of 53 years. But that is exactly how many remember her—caring for, worrying about and protecting as many children as she could.

Her hobbies included doll making, pressed flowers, weaving baskets, reading, gardening, bird watching, keeping her home clean and tidy, making quality meals for herself and her family, and keeping photo books for each of her grandchildren.

Her happy place has always been outside in her garden or along the shores of the Great Lakes, especially Door County, Wisconsin, where she honeymooned and instilled a love for the peninsula to multiple generations of her family.

She is survived by three sons; Brad (Sue) Wilson of Western Springs, IL, Jeff Wilson of Fairfield, and John (Beth) Wilson of Bloomingdale, IL; seven grandchildren, Lucy, Anna, Maggie, Brandon, Laura, Kevin and Hanah; and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was proceeded in death by her parents; husband Bob in 2000; daughter Linda Dyer MacDonald; brother Bucky Brown, sister Mary Jean Ellis and granddaughter Kirby Wilson.

Online condolences may be made to Joanne’s family by viewing her obituary at www.behnerfh.com.

Wayland City Hall Regular Meeting Agenda Wayland City Hall Meeting March 5th @ 7:30 P.M

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, March 4th, 2025 at 10:59 am CDT
  1. Public Hearing – 7:30 PM – Budget Amendment FYE25
  1. Consent Agenda

Note:  These are routine items and will be enacted by one motion without separate discussion unless a Council member requests an item be removed for separate consideration.

  1. Minutes of February 19, 2025
  2. Bills for Payment
  3. Report
  4. Clerks Budgetary Report
  5. Utility Dept. Report
  6. Police Dept. Report
  7. Firefighter Dept. Report
  8. Building Permits
  1. Citizen Forum

The Mayor and City Council welcome comments from the public for items not listed on the agenda.  You are asked to state your name and address for the record and to limit your remarks in order that others may be given the opportunity to speak.  The Order of Business is at the discretion of the Chair.  No action will be taken. 

  1. Unfinished Business
  1. Annual Review of Water System Rates/Consider Rate Increase
  1. New Business
    1. 2025-06 City Budget Amendment & Certification Resolution FY2024/2025
    2. Renewal Permit Application – Dollar General Class B Retail Alcohol License
    3. Change of Ownership Application – Dollar General Class B Retail Alcohol License
    4. Set Offer Amount for Purchase of Used Rescue Van
    5. 2025-07 Resolution Accepting Work North Plains Estates Subdivision – Phase 2024
    6. Change Order/Final Draw – North Plains Subdivision Project – DeLong Construction
    7. Request for WACO After-Prom Donation
    8. Discuss Request – Apply for RISE Grant for Industrial Park East

Free Family Concert & Activities with Jim Gill in West Burlington

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, March 4th, 2025 at 8:09 am CDT

Families, get ready for a fun-filled day with traveling children’s musician, Jim Gill at Westland Mall on Saturday, March 22nd! This free event includes an interactive concert at 10 AM, followed by Day of the Child activities from 11 AM – 2 PM.

📍 Location: Westland Mall, 550 S Gear Ave, West Burlington, IA

Jim Gill is a musician, author, and child development specialist known for his unique approach to music that encourages movement and interaction. His concerts are designed to be fun for the whole family, bringing joy to children and parents alike through playful songs, games, and engaging performances

This event is sponsored by local early childhood organizations and is open to the public at no cost.